The South Australian Government are asking to comment and have our input to assist establish a whole of community and whole of government approach to suicide prevention in South Australia.
They have asked for your thoughts around the draft Suicide Prevention Bill 2020.
Here are some insights about what is being decided?
Many South Australians have been affected by suicide and the consequences can be devastating, complex and long-lasting for families and communities.
The purpose of the draft Suicide Prevention Bill 2020 is to have a legislative mechanism that aims to reduce the incidence of deaths by suicide and suicide attempt in this state.
Under the proposed Bill:
· A Suicide Prevention Council will be established to:
· oversee suicide prevention and postvention (activities and programs to support people bereaved by suicide)
· develop and implement the next State Suicide Prevention Plan.
· Certain State government agencies will be required to develop their own agency suicide prevention plan. The plan will outline measures to prevent suicide by members of the community to which the agency provides services, as well as the agency’s employees.
· There will be capacity to declare a specified method or means by which people may take their own life to be a controlled lethal means. Following a declaration, a recommendation can be made about modifying the means or method to prevent future suicides.
· An Australian Suicide Register will be established, which will provide more timely information that will assist in a targeted approach to suicide prevention initiatives.
Get involved
Read the draft Suicide Prevention Bill 2020, the Discussion Paper and the questions to consider and have your say by:
· Completing the online survey.
· Participating in one of our webinar consultations.
· Providing a written submission via:
· email to HealthMentalHealthFeedback@sa.gov.au
The final Bill is planned to be introduced in the South Australian Parliament early in 2021. It will be published the SA Health websites.
So why not have your say in this significant mental health issue for South Australia.
And don’t forget, if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, or you have been affected by suicide, please seek help through your General Practitioner, mental health practitioner or by contacting the following support services:
Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au
Mensline Australia 1300 789 978 www.Mensline.org.au
Headspace 1800 650 890 www.eheadspace.org.au
QLife 1800 184 527 https://qlife
Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 22 4636 www.beyondblue.org.au/
Emergency Services 000
The SA Health Mental Health Triage Service. If you feel that you may be in need of mental health support and have never accessed a mental health service before, please contact your general practitioner or phone the SA Health, Government of South Australia mental health triage service on 13 14 65.
Struggling and need some psychological support? Send me an email at michelle@bakjacconsulting.com or call 0412047590 to enquire about psychological counselling should you require support.
Michelle Bakjac is an experienced Psychologist, Organisational Consultant, Coach, Speaker and Facilitator. As Director of Bakjac Consulting, she is a credentialed Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a member of Mental Toughness Partners and an MTQ48 accredited Mental Toughness practitioner. Michelle assists individuals and organisations to develop their Mental Toughness to improve performance, leadership, behaviour and wellbeing. You can find her at www.bakjacconsulting.com or michelle@bakjacconsulting.com
